This year marks 40 years since award-winning actress Erika Alexander was discovered at the age of 14 while attending Freedom Theater in North Philadelphia.
Fast forward to 2024, and she has the very street that Freedom Theater is located on named after her.
On Saturday, September 21, Alexander was honored with a street renaming, as the corner of Broad and Master streets in North Philadelphia is now named as Erika Alexander Way.
During the official ceremony, Alexander made several remarks, especially highlighting the impact Freedom Theater had on creating a pathway for her and many others.
“Freedom Theater created a mindset for many of its students to withstand the storm and stand in the sun,” Alexander said. “We were taught that we hadn’t earned the right to be tired, that we hadn’t earned the right not to be good, that our purpose in life was to push past white supremacy and use our lives and talent to challenge and destroy the bias and prejudice woven into the American and global narrative.”
After graduating from Freedom Theater, Alexander attended Philadelphia High School for Girls, which was also crucial in her development.
“There, I learned that she who conquers, conquers herself,” she said.
Her experiences in Philadelphia helped set the stage for roles on prominent TV shows like “The Cosby Show” and “Living Single,” and several movies, including her latest film, “American Fiction.”
Read more about the career Erika Alexander has attained in the 40 years since she was first discovered on her website.
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